Local News Wire

Amazon to charge sales tax in Florida

Internet giant Amazon.com will start to collect sales taxes on purchases made by Floridians starting May 1st. Amazon's entry into the state's brick-and-mortar retail landscape could mean about $80 million a year in sales taxes. The move wasn't unexpected as the company is building a pair of massive fulfillment centers in Polk and Hillsborough counties along Interstate 4. John Fleming, a spokesman for the Florida Retail Federation, said the announcement is probably a sign that Amazon will soon trigger a collection requirement by starting to hire for the year-end holidays, which for retailers begins in September. Fleming says they're going to have to have employees ready by then.